Starts at
Starts at
Trip Overview
Some places near Cusco ask for only one day, but they stay in your mind much longer.
The Humantay Lake Full Day Tour is a short high-altitude hike for travelers who want to leave the noise of the city and stand in front of one of the strongest mountain views in the Cusco region. The walk is not long, but the altitude makes every step feel real. You start before sunrise, drive toward Mollepata and Soraypampa, then climb slowly toward a glacier-fed lake sitting at 4,200 m / 13,780 ft.
At the top, the water shifts between blue and green under the cold face of Humantay Glacier. The air is thin, the wind is sharp, and the silence around the lake makes the effort feel worth it.
With Machu Picchu Gol Travel, the day is arranged with hotel pickup, tourist transport, breakfast, lunch, a professional guide, trekking poles, and safety support.
This tour is a strong choice if you have limited time in Cusco but still want a real mountain hike.
Tour at a Glance
Ends at
Ends at
Duration
Duration
From
US$ 100
Deposit
6%
Travel staff
Local Guide
Transport
by Bus
Accommodation
Accomodation
Departures
Daily Departures
Season
All year
Meals
1B, 1L, 1D
Physical level
Easy
Max altitude
15,090 feet (4,600 meters)
Sites to visit
Cusco, Soraypampa
Day by Day Schedule
Day highlight: Reaching Humantay Lake after a steady uphill hike at high altitude.
The day starts very early with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. The road leaves the city while the streets are still quiet and heads toward Mollepata, where the group stops for breakfast.
After breakfast, the drive continues to Soraypampa, located at around 3,900 m / 12,795 ft. From this point, you begin to feel the altitude more clearly. The mountains look closer, the air feels colder, and the trail begins under the presence of Humantay and Salkantay.
Before starting the hike, your guide gives clear instructions about pace, hydration, altitude, and trail safety. The walk to Humantay Lake is not long, but it climbs steadily. The terrain is rocky, uneven, and sometimes dusty. In rainy season, sections can become wet or muddy.
The ascent usually takes around 2 hours, depending on the group’s pace. You should walk slowly, breathe calmly, and rest when needed. This is not a race. At this altitude, even fit travelers can feel shortness of breath.
As you approach the lake, the valley opens and the water appears below the glacier. Humantay Lake sits between stone, ice, and sky, with colors that change depending on the light. Your guide will give you time for photos, rest, and a short explanation about the importance of mountains in Andean life.
After time at the lake, the group descends to Soraypampa. The way down is easier for the lungs but can be hard on the knees, so trekking poles help.
Back in Soraypampa, lunch is served before boarding the transport back to Cusco. Drop-off is usually at your hotel or at a nearby accessible point, depending on traffic and street access.
Technical details
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch
- Starting hiking altitude: Soraypampa, approx. 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
- Humantay Lake altitude: Approx. 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
- Walking distance: Approx. 5 km / 3.1 mi round trip
- Walking time: Approx. 3.5 hours total
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail type: Rocky path, dirt trail, uneven terrain, possible mud in rainy season
- Transport: Tourist transport from Cusco to Soraypampa and return to Cusco
- Recommended gear: Hiking shoes, warm jacket, rain protection, sun protection, water, and small daypack
Inclusions
What’s Included
Permits and Entrance Tickets
- Entrance ticket to Humantay Lake
- Route coordination before departure
Guide and Safety
- Professional English and Spanish-speaking guide
- Trekking poles
- First aid kit
- Emergency oxygen
- Basic altitude support
- Route management according to weather and safety conditions
- 24/7 customer support before the tour
Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Snacks before or during the hike
- Water
- Cloth snack bag to reduce plastic use
- Vegetarian, vegan, and special meal requests with advance notice
Transport
- Hotel pickup in Cusco
- Tourist transport from Cusco to Mollepata and Soraypampa
- Return tourist transport from Soraypampa to Cusco
- Hotel or nearby drop-off in Cusco, depending on street access
What’s Not Included
- Dinner
- Personal hiking clothing and gear
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guide, driver, kitchen staff, and support team
- Optional horse support
- Extra drinks or personal purchases
- Extra costs caused by weather, road problems, strikes, illness, landslides, government decisions, or force majeure
Recommendations
Months before the tour
- Add uphill walks or stair training if you are not used to hiking.
- Break in your hiking shoes before traveling.
- Check your passport validity.
- Buy travel insurance that covers high-altitude day hikes.
- Tell our reservations team about allergies, food restrictions, medical conditions, or special needs.
- Consider private service if you are traveling with children, older travelers, or anyone who may need a slower pace.
A few days before the tour
- Arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the hike.
- Keep your first days in Cusco light so your body can adjust to the altitude.
- Drink water often.
- Avoid heavy alcohol and smoking before the hike.
- Sleep early the night before, since pickup is before sunrise.
- Pack warm layers, rain gear, sun protection, and enough water.
- Keep passport, money, medication, and valuables in your daypack.
During the tour
- Walk slowly on the uphill section.
- Do not compare your pace with other travelers.
- Use trekking poles on rocky or steep parts.
- Keep rain gear close, especially from November to March.
- Respect local people, muleteers, animals, farming areas, and the trail.
- Do not leave trash on the route.
- Avoid carrying single-use plastic when possible.
- Carry small soles for bathrooms, drinks, snacks, horse support, or personal purchases.
- Stay mentally ready for cold, altitude, tired legs, and rough ground. The route is short, but the mountain still demands respect.
What to Bring From Home
Essential documents and money
- Valid passport
- Travel insurance information
- Cash in Peruvian soles
- Credit or debit card
- Copy of passport saved offline
- Emergency contact information
Clothing
- Waterproof hiking boots or hiking shoes
- Trekking pants
- Thermal pants
- Long-sleeve shirt
- Warm jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Rain poncho
- Sun hat
- Wool hat
- Neck gaiter or buff
- Trekking socks
- Sunglasses with UV protection
Personal gear
- Medium daypack, 15 to 25 liters
- Water bottle or CamelBak
- Camera and charger
- Power bank
- Small dry bag or plastic bags for wet clothes
- Snacks such as energy bars, chocolate, dried fruit, or candies
Health and personal care
- Personal medication
- Altitude medication, only if approved by your doctor
- Sunblock, SPF 50 or higher
- Insect repellent
- Lip balm with sun protection
- Personal hygiene items
- Hand sanitizer
- Blister care
- Small personal first aid items
- Electrolytes or hydration salts
Special requirements
Travelers with special requirements must inform our reservations team in advance. This includes mobility aids, medical equipment, professional photo or video equipment, service animals, special diet tools, or any condition that may affect the route.
More Tour Information
- Tour name: Humantay Lake Full Day Tour
- Duration: Full day
- Starting point: Cusco
- Ending point: Cusco
- Main route: Cusco, Mollepata, Soraypampa, Humantay Lake, Cusco
- Maximum altitude: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
- Starting hiking altitude: Soraypampa, approx. 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
- Walking distance: Approx. 5 km / 3.1 mi round trip
- Walking time: Approx. 3.5 hours total
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Group size: Up to 12 travelers
- Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
- Guide: English and Spanish-speaking professional guide
- Transport: Tourist transport from Cusco and back
- Best for: Travelers with limited time who want a short mountain hike near Cusco
- Recommended acclimatization: At least 2 days in Cusco before the tour
- Best season: March to January
- Not operated: February may be restricted due to rain risk and route conditions
- Leave Cusco early and reach one of the most impressive high-Andean lake areas in the region.
- Hike from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake, located at around 4,200 m / 13,780 ft.
- See the strong contrast between glacier ice, rocky slopes, and blue-green water.
- Walk through high-altitude terrain with open views of Humantay and Salkantay mountains.
- Take a short but demanding hike that gives you a clear taste of Andean trekking.
- Share the route with a professional guide who explains the local mountain setting and safe hiking pace.
- Have breakfast and lunch included, with a warm meal after the hike.
- Use trekking poles for extra stability on rocky and uneven ground.
- Travel with Machu Picchu Gol Travel, a Cusco-based agency focused on clear service, safe logistics, and local work.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is usually from hotels located in Cusco city. Some streets in the historic center are narrow, steep, or closed to vehicles. If your hotel or Airbnb has difficult access, we may coordinate a nearby meeting point.
The exact pickup time is confirmed before the tour. Traffic and access conditions in Cusco can cause small variations.
Luggage storage
You can leave your main luggage at your hotel or at our office while you take the tour. Bring only what you need for the day.
Do not leave valuables inside stored luggage. Passport, money, cards, cameras, medication, and electronics should stay with you.
Payment conditions
A deposit may be required to secure transport, guide, meals, entrance ticket, and operation staff. Some services must be arranged before departure and may become non-refundable once confirmed.
The remaining balance should be paid before the tour according to the instructions from our reservations team. Cash payments in Cusco may avoid online transaction fees. Card or online payments may include gateway fees.
These conditions exist because transport, food supplies, guide service, entry coordination, and staff assignment must be organized before the departure date.
Return to Cusco
After lunch in the Soraypampa area, the group returns by tourist transport to Cusco. Travel time depends on road conditions, weather, and traffic.
Drop-off is usually at your hotel or at a nearby accessible point if your accommodation is located on a street without vehicle access.
Availability
This tour does not include Machu Picchu, so it is usually more flexible than tours that require Machu Picchu tickets.
Even so, booking in advance is recommended to secure guide availability, transport, meals, and entrance coordination. In some cases, reservations may be accepted up to 24 hours before departure, depending on operation capacity.
For last-minute bookings, please contact the reservations team of Machu Picchu Gol Travel directly. We will do our best to organize the tour, but acceptance is not guaranteed.
This itinerary is usually operated from March through January. February may be restricted due to rain risk, road conditions, and trail maintenance.
Transport Included
- Tourist transport from Cusco to Mollepata
- Tourist transport from Mollepata to Soraypampa
- Return tourist transport from Soraypampa to Cusco
- Hotel pickup in Cusco
- Hotel or nearby drop-off in Cusco
Transport times may vary due to traffic, weather, road conditions, strikes, landslides, or local events.
Travel Restrictions
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru and may interrupt some tours. Roads can be blocked, and transport services may be affected. When this happens, we will try to keep your trip as close as possible to the original plan, even if this means leaving earlier than scheduled.
In some cases, tours may be changed or canceled. Any change will be coordinated by our operations team. Safety comes first, and decisions will be made to protect travelers and staff.
Lost objects
Please check your belongings whenever leaving transport, restaurants, viewpoints, or rest areas. You are responsible for your personal items during the tour.
Keep passport, money, cards, medication, electronics, and cameras with you at all times.
Health and physical condition
The Humantay Lake Full Day Tour is a moderate high-altitude hike. It reaches around 4,200 m / 13,780 ft and includes a steady uphill climb, rocky terrain, cold weather, and possible mud or slippery ground during rainy season.
Travelers should be in good physical condition. Older travelers, people with heart conditions, respiratory issues, recent injuries, pregnancy, or other medical concerns should speak with their doctor before booking.
Altitude sickness can affect anyone. Symptoms may include headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea, and unusual tiredness. Arriving in Cusco at least 2 days before the tour helps reduce risk.
Enquire Now
Ready to book the Humantay Lake Full Day Tour with Machu Picchu Gol Travel?
Send us your travel date, number of travelers, hotel location in Cusco, and any special request. Our reservations team will check operation availability, guide assignment, transport, meals, and entrance coordination for your trip.
and across Peru. Our service focuses on clear organization, safe transport, trained local guides, and careful attention to travelers before and during the route.
The Humantay Lake route passes through areas linked to Mollepata, Soraypampa, Humantay Mountain, and the Salkantay zone. These are highland areas where tourism shares space with local families, farming work, muleteers, drivers, cooks, and guides.
Our commitment is to run the tour with respect for these local areas and the people who work there. Even though this is a one-day tour, it still requires early logistics, safe driving, meal coordination, guide support, altitude awareness, and good timing.
For this route, small details matter. The morning is cold, the hike is at high altitude, the ground is uneven, and the weather can change quickly. We provide practical guidance, trekking poles, and a guide who helps the group manage the climb safely.
Food is also part of the service. Breakfast gives you energy before the hike, and lunch after the descent helps you recover before the drive back to Cusco. Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary needs can be arranged with advance notice.
Traveling with Machu Picchu Gol Travel means having a local team that knows the road, the trail, the altitude, and the timing needed to make the day feel organized from start to finish.
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